Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 06/28/04
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Carmen Yon convening the meeting.
Members Present: Barbara Green, Chuck Roth, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Eleanor Vander Haegen, Jeanne Sable, Carmen Yon.
Guests Present: Eli Durmer, Bob Schiemann, Dorothy Zug
Minutes of Previous Meeting: dated 5/24/04—Accepted as presented. Motion to approve by Barbara, seconded, Eleanor. Approved unan.
Discussions:
1. Trails work—Eli Durmer: Eli will be entering his junior year at Oberlin College in the Fall. He is an Environmental Studies and Geology major. He also will be working for the Town 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Recreation Dept. for six weeks. Carmen noted that he should plan not to exceed working 40 hours a week total for the town. Eli said that would give us 14 hours a week, during which he could work on mapping the trails, which are familiar to him as he lives nearby. Carmen said the Selectmen have approved he be paid at the lifeguard’s rate. Barbara asked if he’d looked at the GPS manual, and he said he was confident he could figure out what
needs to be done in about a day. Fred noted he might have difficulty getting accurate readings through the summer foliage. Eli said perhaps he could start with the railroad trails, which are more open. Eleanor asked if he could read a topo map, and he responded that he has done it in the past. Barbara proposed we accept Eli for employment on a trial basis over a 2-3 week period. She would act as contact person. The Commission would have to sign off on his timesheet. Rosalind questioned whether we were covered for liability. Carmen said Eli would be covered by the Town. A motion to proceed was made by Chuck and seconded by Fred. It was passed unanimously. In the interest of efficiency, the motion was later amended to hire Eli for the entire summer, with Barbara reporting if there was any problem.
2. Land Conservation—Mary Ann Wenniger—not in attendance. Item postponed. Barbara gave a copy of requested dock information to Jeanne.
3. Agenda Review—Carmen proposed that we assign responsibilities to various members according to demonstrated strengths and experience. The following nominations were approved:
Communication—Rosalind
Site walk coordination—Jeanne
Signage—Fred
Land conservation—Chuck
Lake association liaison—Barbara
Monadnock Conservancy liaison—Paul
SWRPC liaison—Eleanor
Planning Board liaison—Carmen (With Eleanor or Chuck for July 6)
Hazard Mitigation Team liaison—Barbara
State issues—Katie
4. Review Minutes—Barbara moved to accept previous minutes as presented. Eleanor seconded. Unan.
5. Schedule of Meetings—Carmen suggested we consider meeting more often, as we seem to have too much on our plate. Chuck proposed we meet twice a month in summer, to expedite completion of tasks. After brief discussion, Eleanor suggested we try proceeding with more dispatch, work more efficiently and see what happens. Carmen suggested we give individual members more authority to make decisions that can wrap up projects without waiting for another meeting. We seem to be well connected through the Internet. The CIP will take time. They are asking for input about possible capital purchases by July 19. These would be land purchases or other items over
$5,000 expected to last five or more years. It was agreed to stay with the current schedule but to decide next meeting whether to meet twice in August.
6. Communication—We should send info on our latest projects to the league of Conservation Commissions, including the Good Neighbors’ Guide, mapping, land acquisitions, etc. Carmen said we should make sure the WPOD application form revision fits our needs. Wetlands hearings now cost the applicant. A discussion of RSA 127-16.1 took place. Carmen said if we refer an application to the Planning Board, it requires a wetlands review in addition to Site Plan Review. We should meet with the Planning Board, as the WPOD ordinance is not being interpreted in the spirit in which it was formulated.
7. Planning Board—Carmen reported that the mini storage plan on Rt. 12 was accepted with certain concessions, including the installation of dry wells and a trough with a sump for handling run-off.
8. Site Walks—Margaret Smith, 133 Scott Pond Rd.—Carmen suggested we check the new category on the form, indicating that wetlands are affected but that the project not be referred for a Planning Board hearing as it is allowed under the current WPOD. Our comments should include recommendations that the project be done with erosion control, and built according to the drawing submitted to us. Also, we note that this is a non-conforming structure under 483-B:11, and is subject to state shoreline protection laws because it proposes to increase the footprint of a structure within the protected shoreline area. Jeanne will submit the form to Margo.
Filipi site walk—Fred will fill out report for our files, as Jeanne did not attend.
9. Newcomers’ Handout (Good Neighbor Guide) is complete. Fred handed out copies. Jeanne will send electronic copy to Paula for website. Eleanor will give copies to Mary Ann Chaplen for inclusion in welcome packet.
10. Announcements—Picnic at Rhododendron State Park, July 8. RSVP due July 2.
11. Conservation Overlay District—Chuck handed out first draft and discussed the project. He said Southwest said what we envision could be done, but is more comprehensive than has been done elsewhere. Allowance of a residence in the district might enable owners to place an easement on remaining property.
12. Legislative Bulletin—Chuck went over pertinent sections of the bulletin.
13. Correspondence—Carmen updated members on the status of the Seppala state wetlands violation, Hegland, Spicer, and Ministorage applications.
14. Reports—Eleanor and Jeanne attended the SWRPC talk on community planning by Ed McMahon. Eleanor noted it was uplifting, and accented how property values are enhanced by open space and good planning. Jeanne noted that planning boards have greater opportunity to influence commercial building designs than they often take advantage of.
Old Business not covered:
15. Easements on Town Forests
16. Groundwater protection
17. Motion to Adjourn—Rosalind, seconded by Eleanor.
Meeting adjourned: 9:30 p.m.
Draft of minutes sent out to members: 7/01/04
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 7/29/04
Next Meeting date: July 26, 2004.
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